1. Operant Conditioning The Learner is NOT passive. Learning based on consequence!!!

2. The Law of Effect Edward Thorndike Locked cats in a cage Behavior changes because of its consequences. Rewards strengthen behavior. If consequences are unpleasant, the Stimulus- Reward connection will weaken. Called the whole process instrumental learning. Click picture to see a better explanation of the Law of Effect.

3. B.F. Skinner Influence of Nurture Used a Skinner Box (Operant Conditioning Chamber) to prove his concepts.

4. Skinner Box

5. How do we actually use Operant Conditioning? Do we wait for the subject to deliver the desired behavior? Sometimes, we use a process called shaping. Shaping is reinforcing small steps on the way to the desired behavior. To train a dog to get your slippers, you would have to reinforce him in small steps. First, to find the slippers. Then to put them in his mouth. Then to bring them to you and so on…this is shaping behavior. To get Barry to become a better student, you need to do more than give him a massage when he gets good grades. You have to give him massages when he studies for ten minutes, or for when he completes his homework. Small steps to get to the desired behavior.

6. Cumulative Recorder- attached to the Skinner box and it graphs the organisms response rate – Steep slope- fast response rate – Shallow slope- slow response rate

7. Reinforces A reinforcer is anything the INCREASES a behavior. Positive Reinforcement: The addition of something pleasant. Negative Reinforcement: The removal of something unpleasant. Two types of NR Escape Learning Avoidance Learning (Getting kicked out of class versus cutting class)

8. Positive or Negative? Putting your seatbelt on. Studying for a test. Having a headache and taking an aspirin. Faking sick to avoid AP Psych class. Breaking out of jail. Getting a kiss for doing the dishes.

9. Punishment Meant to decrease a behavior. Positive Punishment Addition of something unpleasant. Negative Punishment (Omission Training) Removal of something pleasant. Punishment works best when it is immediately done after behavior and if it is not harsh!

10. Chaining Behaviors Subjects are taught a number of responses successively in order to get a reward. Click picture to see a rat chaining behaviors. Click to see a cool example of chaining behaviors.

11. Big Bang Theory

12. Same Terminology as Classical Conditioning Acquisition Extinction Spontaneous Recovery Generalization Discrimination If I wanted to reinforce my son’s dancing by giving him lollipops when he dances. Identify the following….

13. Primary v. Secondary Reinforcers Primary Reinforcer Things that are in themselves rewarding. Secondary Reinforcer Things we have learned to value. Money is a special secondary reinforcer called a generalized reinforcer (because it can be traded for just about anything)

14. Token Economy Every time a desired behavior is performed, a token is given. They can trade tokens in for a variety of prizes (reinforcers) Used in homes, prisons, mental institutions and schools.

15. Premack Principle You have to take into consideration the reinforcers used. Is the reinforcer wanted….or at least is it more preferable than the targeted behavior. Hamburgers might be a great positive reinforcer for some, but it would not work well on a vegetarian.

16. Reinforcement Schedules How often to you give the reinforcer? Every time or just sometimes you see the behavior.

17. Continuous v. Partial Reinforcement Continuous Reinforce the behavior EVERYTIME the behavior is exhibited. Usually done when the subject is first learning to make the association. Acquisition comes really fast. But so does extinction. Partial Reinforce the behavior only SOME of the times it is exhibited. Acquisition comes more slowly. But is more resistant to extinction. FOUR types of Partial Reinforcement schedules.

18. Fixed- set amount Variable- random amount Ratio- Based on certain # of responses FR FR-15 (reinforcer every 15 th response) FR-15 (reinforcer every 15 th response) Paid by the job Paid by the jobVR VR-15 (reinforcer over an average of 15 responses, not every 15 VR-15 (reinforcer over an average of 15 responses, not every 15 Gambling Gambling Hardest to extinguish Hardest to extinguish Interval Based on time FI FI-15 (reinforcer after every 15 seconds if 1 correct response is made) FI-15 (reinforcer after every 15 seconds if 1 correct response is made) Paid by the hour Paid by the hourVI VI- 15 (reinforcer over an average interval of 15 seconds) VI- 15 (reinforcer over an average interval of 15 seconds) Pop quiz Pop quiz

20. Observational Learning Albert Bandura and his BoBo Doll We learn through modeling behavior from others. Observational learning + Operant Conditioning = Social Learning Theory Click pic to see some observational learning.

21. Latent Learning Edward Tolman Three rat experiment. Latent means hidden. Sometimes learning is not immediately evident. Rats needed a reason to display what they have learned. Cognitive Maps

22. Insight Learning Wolfgang Kohler and his Chimpanzees. Some animals learn through the “ah ha” experience. Click pic to see insight learning.